Legal Advisor

For the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), a human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) operating worldwide on prevention of torture.

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Closing date: 3 November 2008

Job Description (summary – more details available from APT)

Working within the UN & Legal Programme, managed by a Programme Officer, the APT Legal Advisor is an important member of staff who will:

Ø Provide the APT, its Programme Officers, and its partners with expert legal advice relevant to the effective prevention of torture and other ill-treatment;

Ø Provide advice, analysis and training on national legislation criminalizing torture and establishing National Preventive mechanisms;


Ø Review relevant emerging international jurisprudence;

Ø Organize relevant legal expert meetings;

Ø Contribute to the functioning of the UN & Legal Programme and the APT.



Qualifications

Candidates for the posts of Legal Advisor:

Ø Must be a human rights lawyer with particular expertise in the prevention of torture;

Ø Should have at least five years of professional legal experience, relevant to the prevention of torture;

Ø Should have training and public speaking experience;

Ø Must be able to speak and write in perfect English and be fluent in French. Other language fluency, especially Spanish would be a significant asset;

Ø Must have excellent legal drafting and written skills;

Ø Must have both experience and willingness to work in a team, with a team leader;

Ø The role requires regular international travel.



Salary: Average NGO Geneva rates over 12 months

Work permit: The organisation is willing to apply for a work permit, if necessary.



To apply

Applications should be sent to “jobs@apt.ch” or by post to: Sylvie Pittet, Administrator, APT, P.O..Box 2267, 1211 Geneva 2, Applications should contain a motivating letter, CV, short writing sample and the contact details of two referees.



Background

The APT is an independent NGO working worldwide for the prevention of torture. The organisation specializes in the prevention of torture rather than denunciation of cases. This unique approach enables the APT to cooperate with State authorities that are committed to institutional and legislative reform as well as changing practices.

The APT promotes effective monitoring of places of detention; strengthens capacities to reform detention practices; provides legal advice to criminalize and prohibit torture and develops practical legal and detention guides. The APT has been operating for over 30 years and is the organisation behind the new international Protocol that enables experts to have access to all places of detention in order to make recommendations to prevent acts of torture and other ill-treatment.





Please refer to our website for further information: www.apt.ch

Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Geneva